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Founder and Chairman, Ofiafuluego Foundation, Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Allied Victory International Limited, Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, have described The Sun Humanitarian Service Icon Award 2026 as a pleasant surprise that has strengthened their resolve to serve humanity and Nigeria with all their hearts and might.
The duo, who spoke when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led a management team to present letters notifying them of their nomination as the The Sun Humanitarian Service Icon Award 2026, are among eminent Nigerians who will be honoured at The Sun Awards ceremony on Friday, November 13, 2026 holding at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos from 7pm.
Chief Nwabueze said he was grateful to The Sun for the recognition. “I did not even know I was being considered for this award. I have simply been doing my work as a private citizen who means well for Nigeria,” he said.
The businessman described the award as a pleasant surprise that would push him further.
“This recognition will encourage us to do more. As long as I live, I will keep contributing my quota to the development of this country,” he said.
Chief Otti spoke in a similar vein, thanking The Sun for finding him worthy.
“I was just going about my business and doing what I could for my people. I never imagined that it would be noticed and rewarded in this way,” Otti said.
He said the honour had renewed his commitment to giving back. “Nigeria and the society around me have been kind to me. I will continue to give back for as long as I am alive,” he said.
Ukeh said both men were selected based on merit, stressing that their nominations followed extensive deliberations by the Board of Editors.
On Chief Nwabueze, he said the businessman stands among a growing number of Nigerian social impact leaders, who use structured philanthropy to tackle community challenges and widen opportunities at the grassroots.
According to him, Ofiafuluego Foundation designs interventions that respond to the everyday realities facing vulnerable communities, with work covering education, welfare, empowerment and community upliftment.
Ukeh said Chief Nwabueze’s philosophy holds that sustainable development must begin at the community level, noting that the foundation prioritises capacity building and opportunities that can turn recipients into self-reliant individuals.
He said humanitarian organizations, such as Chief Nwabueze’s, complement government efforts, which is vital, where access to infrastructure, education and economic opportunity remains limited.
On Otti, Ukeh described him as a new kind of Nigerian business leader, building resilient, multi-sector enterprises while doing good at home.
He recalled that the businessman installed solar-powered street lights from Ibubu junction to every corner of Achalla, which improved visibility and security in the community.
Ukeh noted that Chief Otti paid school fees for nursery and primary pupils at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Achalla, a gesture that eased the burden on many parents, guardians and indigent children.
He also said Otti sponsored an ambitious road project covering several kilometres in Umuchu, thereby relieving the state government of part of the burden of rural development and opened up the community for trade and movement.
Apart from Umeh and Otti, other award winners are Governor Hope Uzodimma, who will receive Man of the Year award as well as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), who will be honoured with Governor of the Year award.
Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, is First Lady of the Year, with the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, receiving the Courage in Leadership Award.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele will receive Senator of the Year award, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, emerging as Political Icon of the Year, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is Most Innovative Legislator of the Year and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, member representing Borno State, will receive the House of Representatives Member of the Year award.
In entertainment, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins Creative Icon of the Year award.
Other to receive awards are Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education (Minister of the Year), the Lifetime Achievement Award goes Ogun State Governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel; Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Most Rev Margaret Benson-Idahosa, former Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips, former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC), Mr. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, will receive Public Service Personality Award.
Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba wins the Banker of the Year award, while Access Bank Plc is Bank of the Year, with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, clinching the Parastatal of the Year award.
Entrepreneur of the Year award will be received by Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd and Chief George Obi, CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Dr. Samuel Ajose, Chairman/CEO of Levitikal Group and Dr. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty Limited receiving Real Estate Icon Award.
The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group Limited, Dr. Badamasi Burji, GMD of First Class Refreshment Limited and Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, Founder of Blueworld Cosmetics, with Chief Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/CEO of Tastia Restaurants, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, billed for honour with Hospitality Icon award.
Chief Kester Okike Agwu, CEO of Tastia Restaurants and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of Bon Hotel Octagon will receive Hospitality Icon award, while receive the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, with HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, being honoured as Royal Father of the Year.
Chief Leo Edochie, Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited will receive Sports Personality of the Year award, while Mr. Chima Christian, Co-founder of Teva Foods Limited, will be honoured with Young Achiever Award, with Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-years old autistic Nigerian Guinness World Records holder, receiving Nigerian Hero Award.
